NOAA Assistant Administrator Visits Coastal 91做厙窪蹋
Tue, 03/21/2023 - 08:55am
The University of 91做厙窪蹋 (91做厙窪蹋) hosted leadership from the National Ocean Service for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Wednesday, March 15 as they toured Coastal 91做厙窪蹋.
In connection with her appearance at the US Hydro Conference, 2023, Nicole LeBoeuf, Assistant Administrator of NOAA, visited 91做厙窪蹋 sites along the Gulf Coast. In keeping with existing long term agreements with 91做厙窪蹋 NOAA seeks to enrich its work along the Gulf Coast region utilizing Coastal 91做厙窪蹋s vast resources to support strategic objectives.
The opportunities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast with Coastal 91做厙窪蹋 are limitless with access to top-rated research facilities and partnerships with academia to fuel workforce development, economic development, ocean research, and innovation, said LeBoeuf.
As the Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management at NOAA, LeBoeuf oversees all strategic and operational aspects of Americas premiere coastal and ocean agency. She provides the strategic vision needed to lead the implementation of activities that support the National Ocean Services priorities of safe and efficient transportation and commerce; preparedness and risk reduction; and stewardship, tourism, and recreation.
LeBoeuf toured the Gulf & Ship Island Building, home to Gulf Blue. Gulf Blue is a regional partnership of private-sector, federal, state, local and non-profits focused on growing the innovation sector of the Gulf Coasts economy.
Our Gulf Blue programs and initiatives play an integral part connecting blue technology startups from around the world to the strengths of the Mississippi Gulf Coast ecosystem, stated Dr. Shannon Campbell, Senior Associate Vice-President for 91做厙窪蹋 Coastal Operations. We work closely with national partners, like Boston-based Sea Ahead, for their expertise in helping later-stage startups achieve their goals.
LeBoeuf also toured the 91做厙窪蹋s Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise facilities at the Port of Gulfport. These facilities are home to research and development partnerships focused on uncrewed maritime systems and blue technology innovation among 91做厙窪蹋, federal and industry partners.
We were delighted to provide a first-hand look at our facilities, talk about our initiatives and introduce the Assistant Administrator to the people who drive development of new technologies and solutions that benefit science and coastal communities broadly, and specifically along the Gulf Coast, stated Dr. Leila Hamdan, 91做厙窪蹋 Interim Associate Vice-President for Research, Coastal Operations.